One of my personal favorite memories of my own wedding day was the morning. Getting ready and hanging out with my family and my favorite ladies while getting our hair and make-up done. You could feel the excitement and love in the air. I was lucky enough to find a hair and make-up professional who could both come to the house to pretty us up. But finding a great make-up professional who will travel to where you're getting ready can sometimes be a challenge. So when I heard the very talented Megan Munro of Bombshell Live Pretty did house calls, I had to sit down and interview her. I've seen her work personally and know she does an amazing job on all the ladies she works with.

Here's the answers to the interview I had with her:

1. When did you begin doing make-up?

Personally when I was eleven, though I wasn't technically allowed to wear it until I was twelve, I had an older sister...and couldn't resist the temptation. I remember that same Christmas in my stocking I got a Maybelline pastel eye shadow quad from "Santa" and I thought I had gone to heaven. It was then I started doing my friends' make-up...top secret from our parents, of course.

Professionally - I started doing 'mobile' wedding makeup four years ago and have become more involved in advertising campaign and stock photography shoot make-up and styling for the past three. I think it is important to have a make-up artist who can come to you. As a bride, the last thing you need to worry about is having to drive somewhere on your special day to get your make-up done and risk arriving at the alter late. Mobility is a differentiating factor for me and, being a bride once myself, I wouldn't have it any other way.

2. How did you discover you had a passion and talent for it?

I think in high school when girls would ask me to do their make-up for special events - school dances, hot dates etc. I was lined up the day of grad photos...if only I had been charging back then!


3. What is your favourite moment when working with a bride?

Every bride is special to work with and I am always honoured to be a part of their big day, but my most memorable moment came when I did a mother of the bride's make-up. She had stopped wearing make-up in the 80s - "after the kids " - so I was a little nervous she was not going to like anything on her face. But, when I showed her the final look in the mirror she started to cry, gave me a hug, and said she hadn't looked that beautiful since her wedding day. Moments like that are really special and definitely make doing make-up even more rewarding.

4. What is the biggest mistake you see brides or bridesmaids do with their wedding day make up?

Too much dark eye shadow. Please leave the smoky eye at the nightclub where it belongs. Even the best primers can't compete with tears of happiness and too much dark eye shadow ends up looking a mess...and not that irresistibly sexy look they were obviously after.

Another mistake is not enough blush. Camera flashes wipe a lot of colour out, so, to not look like The Corpse Bride - apply 20% more than what you would normally apply in an every day situation.

5. What is your number one tip for brides in regards to make up and/or skin care before or on their wedding day?

Exfoliate at least twice a week and wear sunscreen, evenly, all over your face, neck and décolleté every day - especially if you are a summer bride.

6. What is your favourite product in your make up bag for yourself?

My little indulgences are Laura Mercier 'thickening & building' mascara and my Clarins instant smooth perfecting touch primer - amazing products. I also love anything by Laura Geller - I am a huge fan of her Balance 'N Brighten baked foundation - I wear it every day.

7. What is your favourite product in your make up bag for your clients?

Tough question - I think I have a favourite for all skin types. One product does not work equally for all. I would say my 'secret weapon' for all brides is the Benefit Eye Bright pencil. It goes along the bottom waterline and does two things great:

1) Makes your eyes pop and seem brighter
2) Neutralizes the appearance of tired eyes

I also adore Urban Decay's eye shadow primer potion - it locks in colour, prevents fading and creasing and helps to conceal those light blue veins fair-skinned people sometimes have. I use it on all my clients. It is a must-have for brides as it provides extra make-up insurance because -unlike a photo shoot that is over in a couple hours, your 'photo shoot' lasts all day!

8. Do you have a favourite line of skin care products and why?

I am a big believer in a good night cream and day scream with at least 15+ SPF. I use Clarins, but the cost is higher . If your desired price point is lower - I also like the Olay Regenerist line. I started using their daily exfoliating cleanser and really love how it has brightened my skin.
If you are up for a splurge - Crème de la mer is the dream. Their classic face cream is rich and non-oily and feels like a luxury every time you put it on.

Instead of expensive handbags or shoes...I always choose expensive make-up - you can feel pampered every day!

9. Do you have a favourite line of makeup products and why?

I seem to love something from most product lines. My kit contains my favourite items from all kinds of brands. I think you don't need to spend a fortune to look amazing and there are so many really great drug store brands out there that work just as well, if not better, than the uber expensive brands. I believe pretty should be for all - no matter what your bank account size!

But - if I had to name a few - I would say Smashbox, NARS and Laura Geller for higher priced options and Rimmel, Coastal Scents (can order online as only sold in the USA) and Revlon for drug store brands. The Revlon colour stay foundation is one of my favourite liquid foundations - the range of colours it has is amazing and it has the lasting power and pigmentation of a comparable like M.A.C's famed Studio Fix.

10. What is your favourite memory of your wedding day?

It would have to be coming down the aisle with my Dad. All the build up, all the planning and getting ready all come to fruition as soon as you walk down that aisle. Seeing my husband-to-be standing there, looking so handsome - the look on his face - all things I will never forget. Just thinking about that makes me all teary-eyed!

Thanks Megan for letting us pick your brain. If you want to contact Megan she can be reached at:

Megan Munro
mail: megan.munro@gmail.com
Tel: 403.835.0332
URL: www.livepretty.ca - Coming Soon!

Located right here in Calgary, Phoebe Fairytale combines fun, flirty and sophisticated while creating unique jewellery, lip gloss and hair accessories.

They personally handcraft custom, one of a kind pieces for every day, formal or bridal events. Using quality materials and their keen sense of style, Phoebe Fairytale custom accessories are both beautiful and romantic. Their feather and flower headpieces are a perfect complement to your wedding or bridesmaid dress without the high cost often associated with store-bought bridal head pieces.

Then there are their flower wristlet and anklets. They are a beautiful modern alternative to the traditional corsage and can be customized to match your wedding colours.

And if that wasn't enough for you they also create homemade lip balms - reminiscent of your favourite fairytale and perfect for staggette take-aways and bridesmaid favours. The classic namesake the "Fairytale Balm" is our dual purposes lavender scented balm - perfect for a night lip seal and moisturizing cuticle balm. There are a variety of other fairytale inspired balms: Goldilocks (lemon), Snow White (red apple) and Snow Queen (spearmint with a hint of shimmer), each has its own distinct aromatic oil and tint of color.

Making weddings and 'the every day' special - they look forward to creating a custom piece just for you. They can be reached at

Phoebe.Fairytale@gmail.com

It's no secret that I heart Martha Stewart Weddings - so I have to share this latest inspiration board I put together borrowing images from the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. These touches add some much class to a formal black tie wedding.

Your Dream Wedding - how much will it cost you? With everything going on in today's economy, this is the question on most bride and groom's minds. How much will this day cost us, and how much are we willing to give up?

There is a bit of a misconception out there that only couples with large budgets can afford to hire a wedding consultant or wedding coordinator. We're here to tell you how hiring a good wedding consultant can actually help save you money!

Case #1 - We recently had a bride and groom who really wanted chair covers for their reception. The thought of paying $5-6 per chair cover was more than they wanted to pay for this decor item. Since this couple works full-time and has a number of different obligations, they had little time to try to find chair covers at a price they wanted to pay. After hiring us, they indicated their dilemma to us and we had a solution for them. A local vendor we work with rents chair cover for just over $3/chair cover. She also offers us a discount for our clients. The savings this couple realized were almost enough to cover our fee. We've since been able to help them find more vendors that have quality product and services that work within their budget.

Case #2 - Another bride and groom were having a small wedding to keep costs low. They hired us to help them plan the reminder of their wedding, including finding vendors for flowers, invitations, chair covers, and all their decor items. We are able to gather 3 vendor quotes for all the remaining items - thus finding them the perfect vendors for them and at the best possible price without sacrificing quality.

Most of our brides and groom work full-time and only have one or two full days off together. We are able to help them not spend those days planning their wedding, and instead spend it enjoying the spring and summer!

Budgeting out your wedding before hiring vendors is such an important part of planning your wedding. Having a plan and sticking to it will ensure you have the wedding of your dreams without going over budget. We'll work with you to ensure you have a plan and stick to it - and have that AMAZING wedding you're dreaming of!

I had the pleasure of staying at Couples Swept Away in Negril Jamaica this winter and witnessed approximately 15 weddings in a two week period! What a great destination for a beach wedding. Not only is the resort on a gorgeous stretch of beach, but the staff goes above and beyond each and every day for it's guest.

I met with one of the resorts wedding planners who took me through the resort to show me the various locations you can hold a wedding ceremony. There is of course the beach, their beautiful garden location and the gazebo.

Their wedding package includes the following:

Minister's Fee and non denominational ceremony

Flowers for the bride and groom

Two tiered wedding cake and bottle of wine

Witnesses (if required)

Just married T-shirts and massages!

You can add extras to your wedding such as a steel drum band, photography and videography and even a Wed Cast. And of course they'll work with you to host a fabulous reception at one of their many fabulous restaurants.

Want more information about Couples? Contact us today. http://www.cornerstoneevents.ca/ info@cornerstoneevents.ca